Deadline has reported that Jessica Chastain (The Tree of Life, The Help) is back in talks to play a starring role in Iron Man 3. Her character is described as a sexy scientist every bit as smart as Tony Stark. Given the info currently at hand it would suggest Chastain will be playing Maya Hansen.

The third installment of the Marvel franchise has widely been reported to be based on Warren Ellis’ six-issue Extremis storyline which involved the use of nanotech which once injected into a subjected greatly enhanced their abilities, somewhat like a super soldier serum for the 21st century. The tech is created by Maya Hansen and Aldrich Killian. Hansen is also an old flame of Tony’s.

Guy Pearce is reported to be playing Aldrich Killian and Ben Kingsley will be playing an as yet unnamed villain.

Iron Man 3 opens in theaters on May 3, 2013.

(via Wikipedia)

Meanwhile, it seems a handful of reviews for The Avengers have come out over the weekend. The kind people over at Collider have summarised the most poignant bits.While the reviews are mostly, if not all, positive points of critique have been Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye being underdeveloped and no clear explanation to the motivation behind Loki’s actions. Hawkeye’sproblem can certainly be worked out in The Avengers 2 which according to Kevin Feige we’ll probably be seeing in 2 or 3 years but Loki might be in theaters much sooner. Feige reveals to Collider that Loki will have a part in Thor 2 but the main villain will be someone else.

Chris Hemsworth confirms that Alan Taylor (Mad Men, Game of Thrones) will takeover from Kenneth Branagh as director of Thor 2. The movie will pick up where the first left off in terms of Jane and Thor and will address the effect of the Asgardians being unable to use the Bifrost bridge. Filming is set to begin in London in July with an eye on releasing it on November 15, 2013.

Currently the only Avenger not getting a sequel will be the Hulk. Of the 5 Marvel movies that eventually culminated in The Avengers, The Incredible Hulk grossed the least which could explain the green monster’s absence from the roster of upcoming movies.